conceal carry
- Thread starter TC Campbell
- Start date
- Status
MedWheeler
Member
The Bushmaster writes:
I'd feel better if my wife would even carry the Bobcat.
I'd feel better if my wife would even carry the Bobcat.
Zaydok Allen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 13,274
Personally I prefer the more solid reputation of Glock and the 9mm round of the guns in question.
But if a 380 Bersa works for you, have at it. It’s a personal decision.
But if a 380 Bersa works for you, have at it. It’s a personal decision.
1942bull
Member
I have seen those videos and once carried the Precision One round which was the favorite among all the tests. However you might have missed the follow up to those tests when a new winner was declared. t was the Lehigh Defense Extreme Penetrator. It beat the JHPs hard down.
OP
OP
TC Campbell
Member
jamesinalaska
Member
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2015
- Messages
- 256
If you are asking if the .380 cartridge "has what it takes" (enough power, I take it) to serve you in a small defensive pistol like the Bersa, my advice would be no, it does not.
Ernie Bass
member
Great post and proves the 380 is a viable defense load and obvious very popular. The cartridge has been improving all the time. Yes, the PrecisionOne was top rated and now the Lehigh has taken the top spot. However, PrecisionOne since that test went further with the XTP Plus P. Increased the FPS by about 50 fps. Although I have not seen any test done on it so far. The Bersa has been around a long time with many fans. I do not own one, but have shot them many times over the years and they are fine, mild, shooters easy for a lot of folks to control. I know a number of women that especially like them.
I own a number of micro 9mm's and love shooting them and of course a 9mm is ahead of the 380, but the ironic thing is, that the vast majority of the time, I will opt for the 380. headed out the door. And I have no problem with the ballistics of that round. My suggestion would be for your wife to be comfortable with the gun she has chosen. A small 9mm is great, but not for everyone. And good training and skills will trump the caliber. And of course you want her to train often. If she is uncomfortable with the firearm, she might resist those training days. Her enjoyment of shooting is IMO a very over looked part of EDC.And enjoyment of shooting will increase proficiency.
FFGColorado
Member
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2020
- Messages
- 1,129
Hammer/external safety type vs a Glock..so make sure you know 'what's what' if you have to pull it and use it.
As far as 'effectiveness'...there are probably only about a BAZillion opinions out there, particularly about the 380. I alternate between a G26 and G42..depending on clothes. I use either G9 ammo or Xtreme Defender from Lehigh/Underwood..Just for giggles and for comparison..shoot a frozen turkey wrapped in 6-8 layers of denim with a 380 Xtreme defender and any 9mm JHP and compare..
Without starting another caliber discussion, this is interesting
https://sofrep.com/gear/the-best-handgun-caliber-a-real-world-study/
chicharrones
needs more ammo
You've got a Bersa Thunder Plus with a 15 round magazine. I think most of us thought you had the regular Thunder with the 8 round magazine.
Looks like ammo capacity is not a problem in your situation.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
IMO carry the gun you can shoot best but still conceals well. Whether it's a NAA Pug, a .32 or .380 ACP, a mini 9mm or full size 9mm, a 38/357 revolver or something larger doesn't matter. If you shoot it well and it's 100% reliable it's a good choice "for you".
Dan-O
Member
Bersa used to put a mag disconnect on the model I happened to purchase, and was one of the unfortunate ones that hade the dang thing break on me. I think there was a permanent work around, but I little bit salty and swore them off after that.
I think there are better options on the market 15 years later.
I think there are better options on the market 15 years later.
Alte Schule
Member
My wife tried 15 different pistols from .32 ACP to 9mm before she settled on my Bersa Thunder. I bought another one.
It's not my primary carry but I do keep it in my car with an extra magazine. Both my sister in law and brother (CC model) have one.
One of my carry guns is a S&W Shield EZ .380 loaded with Speer Gold Dot 90 gr self defense rounds. I am every bit confident that the Bersa and the Shield would serve just fine if called upon.
That being said I would recommend that if you have a range that rents firearms you and your wife take full advantage of it. Remember though the final decision on what you should carry, ammo, etc is one you and your wife have to make. People like me can only provide suggestions based on our experiences.
It's not my primary carry but I do keep it in my car with an extra magazine. Both my sister in law and brother (CC model) have one.
One of my carry guns is a S&W Shield EZ .380 loaded with Speer Gold Dot 90 gr self defense rounds. I am every bit confident that the Bersa and the Shield would serve just fine if called upon.
That being said I would recommend that if you have a range that rents firearms you and your wife take full advantage of it. Remember though the final decision on what you should carry, ammo, etc is one you and your wife have to make. People like me can only provide suggestions based on our experiences.
sparkyfender
Member
I have a couple of friends, man and wife, who swear by them as their carry guns, FWIT. I have no personal experience with the Bersa brand, other than handling a couple in gun stores.
Good luck in you decision!
Good luck in you decision!
Obturation
Member
When I carry a 380 I use fmj. It's good enough. Pretty simple equation, to me at least. The standing internet wisdom that cycles on this forum (and all others for that matter) is: bullet diameter, design, velocity or any other factor are irrelevant and the only factors that matters are shot placement and speed of follow up shots. I don't completely subscribe to that but it is reasonable and is the single most important thing. operating under that condition logic would bring you to the conclusion that 380 acp is fine, there are plenty of people who carry a 9mm with fmj ammo (military & civilian) , a 380 fmj will fully penetrate a bad guy so assuming that's true ( I believe it is) that means there is no difference in performance between the 380 and a 9mm if both are loaded with fmj. The 9mm gun will be larger, heavier and have more recoil - all negatives in the world of concealed defensive handguns. If we're talking hollow points the 9mm is clearly superior but if the shot isn't accurate it's not going to do its job anyway, a 380 fmj through anything vital will work better than the fanciest 9mm hollow point through the belly or extremity. Just the way it is. I'll likely take some heat for daring to criticize the ever popular micro 9's but what good is the extra power (over a 380) if shot placement is the only factor that counts? Additionally , what use is a 9mm hollow point if it needs to pass through a vital area anyway, I doubt anyone would argue that an fmj through the vitals won't be effective. If the argument for a hollow point is reduced penetration I would ask if anyone can provide any evidence of a bullet passing through a bad guy and hitting a bystander in a civilian shooting. If the argument is that the increased diameter is more likely to hit something important, then they must advocate for a larger caliber for the same reason. Hence the ongoing and never ending merry-go-round of the caliber debate. Long winded? Yes. Did I make a point? No, not one that hasn't been beaten utterly to death a million times over.
As far as the firearm in questions reliability and configuration, that's for you to decide. If it works, use it.
As far as the firearm in questions reliability and configuration, that's for you to decide. If it works, use it.
- Status